Subterranean Room Conduit Conveyor Assemblies and Methods for Extending Conduit from a Subterranean Room

ABSTRACT

Subterranean room conduit conveyor assemblies are provided comprising a conveyor operatively aligned with a guide assembly, the guide assembly operatively aligned with a subterranean well head. Methods for extending conduit from a subterranean room to within a well extending from the room to within the earth surrounding the room are provided, the methods comprising operatively aligning a conveyor assembly with the well head of the well, feeding coiled conduit to the conveyor assembly, and conveying the conduit from the assembly into the well head of the well from the room. Well clean out nozzles are provided as well.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure provides assemblies and methods for conveying conduit. In particular embodiments, the present disclosure provides assemblies and methods for extending conduit from within a subterranean room to within a well head extending into the soil surrounding the subterranean room.

BACKGROUND

Subterranean rooms can be used to mine or acquire assets from the soil or earth surrounding the room. These rooms present problems associated with acquiring these assets. These rooms can be extraordinarily small and make it difficult to acquire assets using the limited equipment that can be provided into the rooms. In some particular operations, assets that may be acquired include but are not limited to petroleum reserves in the form of gas or liquid reserves. The present disclosure provides assemblies and methods that may be utilized to extend conduit into these rooms and/or assist in the acquisition of assets from the soil surrounding these rooms.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Subterranean room conduit conveyor assemblies are provided comprising a conveyor operatively aligned with a guide assembly, the guide assembly operatively aligned with a subterranean well head.

Subterranean room conduit conveyor assemblies may comprise a conveyor, a guide assembly, and a well head coupling.

Methods for extending conduit from a subterranean room to within a well extending from the room to within the earth surrounding the room are provided, the methods comprising operatively aligning a conveyor assembly with the well head of the well, feeding coiled conduit to the conveyor assembly, and conveying the conduit from the assembly into the well head of the well from the room.

Methods for extending conduit from a subterranean room to within a well extending from the room are provided, comprising providing conduit having nozzle attached thereto, nozzled end first, extending the conduit into the well, and projecting fluid from the nozzle to within the well, the projecting conveying the conduit to within the well.

DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the disclosure are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a depiction of an example subterranean room including an operator, an assembly, and conduit according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of an assembly of the present disclosure according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a depiction of an assembly of the present disclosure according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is another view of the assembly of FIG. 3 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is another view of the assembly of FIGS. 3 and 4 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view of an assembly in one position according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a view of an assembly in another position according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view of an assembly in one position according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9 is another view of an assembly in one position according to an embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a view of an assembly in another position according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 is another view of an assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view of an apparatus of an assembly according to an embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

This disclosure is submitted in furtherance of the constitutional purposes of the U.S. Patent Laws “to promote the progress of science and useful arts” (Article 1, Section 8).

The assemblies and methods of the present disclosure are provided with reference to FIGS. 1-12. Referring first to FIG. 1, a subterranean room 1 is depicted. This subterranean room can include rooms within the earth that can be utilized to acquire assets from the surrounding earth through mining such as drilling for petroleum products. These rooms may be driven into for example and as such can have substantial tunnels extending between the rooms and the earth surface.

The subterranean room can include a conduit 22, and operator 4, and/or a conduit conveyor assembly 10 in operational configuration and/or coupling with well head 24. Conduit 22 can be conduit that is typically stored in a coiled fashion. It can be rubberized and/or plastic, for example. It may be also made of other flexible materials. Conduit 22 can also include a 2′ to 3′ long pipe at the terminal end that may be configured to couple a nozzle to the pipe. Typically, conduit 22 is either stored or transported in a coiled form, and in that form, it is biased to stay in that form until straightened or otherwise manipulated. It has been realized that the use of this conduit to clean out wells such as the well having well head 24 can be challenging, because the conduit is biased to maintain that coiled fashion and this can make manipulation of the conduit difficult. Assembly 10 can be a conduit conveyor assembly that can be utilized to manipulate conduit 22 and access well of well head 24 in an effort to clean out well 24.

Referring next to FIG. 2, assembly 10 is provided in more detail, having a length of conduit 18 from coiled conduit 22 extending into assembly 10. Within assembly 10 can be provided conveyors 12 and/or 20 as well as guides 16 and/or 14. Conveyor 10 can be configured to couple to well head 24, and well head 24 of a well that extends into soil 22 surrounding subterranean room 2, for example. In accordance with example implementations, conveyors 12 and/or 20 may oppose one another and may be opposing one another at a tread side when configured as wheels, for example. Either one or both of conveyors 12 and/or 20 may be motorized; however, in certain implementations of the present disclosure, at least one of conveyors 12 and/or 20 may be considered an idler wheel, for example.

Guides 14 and/or 16 may be utilized together or separately, and these guides may provide an opening through which conduit 18 may pass as it extends into and past well head 24. In accordance with example implementations, conveyors 12 and/or 20 may be operatively aligned with the guide assembly such as guides 14 or 16, and these guides may be operatively aligned with well head 24. As such, conveyor 10 can include at least one conveyor, at least one guide assembly, and a well head coupling, for example. In accordance with example implementations, assembly 10 can include at least two aligned conduit guides such as guides 14 and 16, and the conveyors such as 12 and/or 20 can be aligned between these two guides. As shown in FIG. 2, the alignment of conveyors 12 and/or 20 can be configured to align conduit 18 within guides 14 and 16 having conveyors 12 and/or 20 opposing conduit 18. As such, assembly 10 can include at least one wheel, when the conveyor is configured as a wheel, rotatably aligned with the well head 24.

Referring to FIG. 3, a conveyor assembly 30 is depicted according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and assembly 30 includes conveyor 32 configured as a wheel having a rubberized material 34 extending the perimeter of wheel 32. Opposing wheel 32 can be wheel 40 having a rubberized material 44 extending the perimeter of wheel 40 in accordance with example implementations. These rubberized portions can be hard rubber portions having little or no air therein, but may also have a substantial amount of vacant space between the rubberized portions and the wheels 32 and 40.

In accordance with example implementations, these wheels can be provided along an axis such as the axle shown in FIG. 3, and this axis can run substantially normal to the direction that conduit is fed between guides 16 and 14 and/or in between wheels 40 and 32, for example. In accordance with example implementations, the wheels can comprise a tread about the wheel. As shown in FIG. 3, the axes upon which wheels 40 and 32 are aligned can extend parallel to one another according to an embodiment.

Assembly 30 can also include a safety member 52 that can extend away from assembly 30, preventing an operator 4 from extending their hands into assembly 30 when providing conduit thereto. This safety member 52 can be constructed as likewise of the assemblies described herein, of a metal material.

Referring again to FIG. 3, a biasing mechanism 50 can be provided that maintains a biased relationship between wheels 40 and 32, for example. In accordance with example implementations, at least one of wheels 32 and 40 can be a drive wheel, while the other wheel can be configured as an idler wheel. The idler wheel can maintain a certain bias upon the opposing wheel, thereby maintaining a certain amount of traction against any conduit that is extended between the wheels. Biasing mechanism 50 can be used to maintain this bias of the idler wheel against the motorized wheel. The motorized wheel can be motorized electrically, hydraulically, and/or through combustion as desired. However, it is desirable in a closed room, such as a subterranean room, where this apparatus will be utilized, that the motorized wheel be operated hydraulically.

Referring to FIG. 4, assembly 30 is shown in another view that includes another depiction of safety member 52 and conduit 18 extending through guides 16 and 14 and between wheels 32 and 40. As can be seen in FIG. 4, complimentary troughs 36 and/or 46 can be defined within portions of wheels 32 and 40, respectively. This trough can be configured to receive at least a portion of conduit 18, and align conduit 18 about wheels 32 and/or 40. In accordance with example implementations, troughs 36 and 46 can be defined within a rubberized or tread portion of wheels 32 and 40 as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring next to FIG. 5, assembly 30 is shown in accordance with yet another view. As can be seen, guide 14 extends into well head coupling 24, and troughs 36 and/or 46 can be configured to receive conduit 18 as it passes by safety barrier 52.

Referring to FIGS. 6-10, methods of operating assembly 30 are depicted according to example implementations. Referring first to FIG. 6, conduit 18 can be extended from a subterranean room to within a well extending from the room to within the earth surrounding the room by first operatively aligning a conveyor assembly 30 with a well head of the well. This operative alignment can be accomplished by aligning well head 24 with guide 14, for example. In accordance with example implementations, the method can include feeding coiled tubing 22 to conveyor assembly 30 and conveying conduit 18 from assembly 30 into well head 24 of the well from the subterranean room. In accordance with example implementations, this can be initiated with idler wheel or wheel 40 in an upright or first position, allowing for the initial feeding of conduit 18 into the well.

Referring next to FIG. 7, wheel 40 can then be placed in a second position, and biasing mechanism 50 utilized to bias wheel 40 against wheel 32. Operation of motorized wheel 32 can be powered, and operation of this wheel can be utilized to feed conduit 18 into the well. In accordance with example implementations, wheel 40 can be pivoted upon axle 60 to allow for manipulation between two positions as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. As shown, assembly 30 includes a pair of biased conveyors for conveying conduit 18 into the well. Accordingly, conduit 18 can be fed through a guide and into the conveyors before passing into at least perhaps another guide, and then into the well.

Referring next to FIGS. 8-10, methods for extending conduit from a subterranean room to within a well extending from the room are further defined. In accordance with example implementations, conduit 18 and/or 22 described herein may also have a section of pipe 80 extending therefrom. To this pipe may be attached a nozzle 82. Conduit 18, pipe 80, and/or nozzle 82 can be configured to provide fluid therefrom or through the conduit and exiting through the nozzle 82. This nozzle can then be extended into the well while the wheel 40 is in a position shown in FIG. 8 as pivoted upon axle 60. Once in the well, fluid can be provided from the nozzle and into the well in an effort to clean out the well as desired. As shown in FIG. 9, assembly 30 can include a motor 92 that may be, as described, hydraulic, electric, and/or gas as desired, with a preference being towards hydraulic, since this operation is taking place in an enclosed room. Referring to FIG. 10, assembly 30 is shown in the operational position with wheel 40 disposed opposing wheel 32 and receiving conduit 18 therein.

Referring next to FIG. 11, in accordance with yet another embodiment, an assembly 110 can include at least two lower wheels that may be used to help align conduit there through and provide conduit to a well head, one wheel being aligned as wheel 32 shown in previous assemblies, and another wheel 112 proceeding in direction of conduit transport.

Referring to FIG. 12, an example nozzle 110 is shown that can be utilized in conjunction with pipe and/or conduit 18. Accordingly, nozzle 110 can be configured to have a coupling section such as a graded threaded section 112, and a tip or nose section 114. As part of this nose section can be exit portals 118 and a bulbous front or convex front nose 116. In accordance with example configurations, the nozzle can assist in the conveyance of conduit to within a well, for example, by projecting fluid in a direction towards the conduit but away from the empty well area. Accordingly, the fluid can be directed at the walls and/or towards the conduit. This hydraulic pressure can assist in pulling and/or projecting the conduit to within the well.

In compliance with the statute, embodiments of the invention have been described in language more or less specific as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the entire invention is not limited to the specific features and/or embodiments shown and/or described, since the disclosed embodiments comprise forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents. 

1. A subterranean room conduit conveyor assembly comprising a conveyor operatively aligned with a guide assembly, the guide assembly operatively aligned with a subterranean well head.
 2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the guide assembly comprises at least two aligned conduit guides.
 3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the conveyor is aligned between the two guides.
 4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the guide assembly comprises at least one wheel rotatably aligned with the well head.
 5. The assembly of claim 4 wherein the wheel further comprises tread about the wheel.
 6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the tread further comprises a trough extending along the tread.
 7. A subterranean room conduit conveyor assembly comprising: a conveyor: a guide assembly; and a well head coupling.
 8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the conveyor comprises at least one wheel rotatable about an axis substantially normal to the guide assembly.
 9. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the conveyor comprises at least two wheels, the wheels arranged opposing one another along parallel axis, the axis substantially normal to the guide assembly.
 10. The assembly of claim 7 wherein conveyor comprises at least one conveyor surface configured to engage conduit, the surface defining a trough therein.
 11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the conveyor further comprises another conveyor surface opposing the one surface.
 12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the other surface defines a complimentary trough.
 13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the other conveyor is biased against the one conveyor.
 14. A method for extending conduit from a subterranean room to within a well extending from the room to within the earth surrounding the room, the method comprising: operatively aligning a conveyor assembly with the well head of the well: feeding coiled conduit to the conveyor assembly; and conveying the conduit from the assembly into the well head of the well from the room.
 15. The method of claim 14 further comprising vising the conduit between a pair of biased conveyors.
 16. The method of claim 14 further comprising extending the conduit through a guide prior is comprised by feeding the coiled conduit to the conveyor assembly.
 17. A method for extending conduit from a subterranean room to within a well extending from the room, the method comprising: providing conduit having nozzle attached thereto: nozzled end first, extending the conduit into the well; and projecting fluid from the nozzle to within the well, the projecting conveying the conduit to within the well.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein the projecting the fluid comprises directing the fluid in a direction toward the conduit.
 19. The method of claim 17 wherein the projecting the fluid comprises directing the fluid toward the walls of the well.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the extending is also facilitated by a motorized conveyor. 